Typographical composing and distributing machine



Feb. 6, 1945. R. R. MEAD 2,368,860

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR R. R. MEAD Feb. 6, 1945.

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOH M ZTTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1945.

R MEAD TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 B 2 mvrfwron why R. R. MEAD Feb. 6, 1945,

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE invznroa Feb. 6, 1945. R. R. MEAD 2,368,860

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I y "0/ v INVENTOR 0 8 [LL/414A M I ATTO NE'YS Patented Feb. s, 1945 TYPOGRAPHICAL COIHPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Richard It. Mead, Queens Village, N. Y., assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Application December 10, 1941, Serial No. 422,323 40 Claims. (Cl. 199-45) This invention relates to typographical composing and distributing machines such as "Linotype" machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States No. 436,532 to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are'released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a slotted mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter elevated and returned through distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

More particularly, it relates to so-called "mixing machines of the shiftable multiple magazine variety which are capable of handling both ninety character or text fonts (having a range in thickness from 5 pt. to 24 pt. bold) and seventy-two character or display fonts- (having a range in thickness from 8 pt. to 36 take place while matrices are still in course of travel through the distributors (of which there are two, one fOr the text and one for the display fonts) or if a matrix happens to protrude from the delivery end of either magazine into the'associated assembler throat. The mechanism involved usually includes two blade-like feelers both of which are controlled by operation of the hand lever, one feeler being movable horizontally across the path of matrices traversing the distributors, and the other movable downwardly pt.). In such machines, the magazines containing the respective fonts (usually four in number) are arranged alternately, one above the other, in evenly spaced relation and are supported in a shift frame which may be raised and lowered to-bring a selected pair of magazines into operative position. Two different assembler throats and two different magazine entrances are employed, the former directing the matrices as they are released from the respective magazines into the main assembler entrance, and the latter returning the matrices to their proper magazine channels as they are released from the distributing mechanism. The magazine entrances are hingedly mounted on fixed brackets of the machine frame and are held upwardly in operative position by separate springs which serve to counterbalance the.

weight of the entrances when they are lowered to give access to the magazines.

Precision in locating the selected pair of magazines in operative position is accomplished by means of notched gauge or looking bars slidably mounted in the machine and arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the shift frame so as to engage corresponding aligning lugs projecting laterally therefrom. The gauge bars are held under spring tension in their active or magazine locking position but are capable of being retracted at will by means of a hand lever located at the front of the machine within convenient reach of the operator. However, as an element .of safety, operation of the hand lever cannot across the lower ends of the magazines in use.

The several magazines are also independentl removable and replaceable and, to this end, are arranged to be spread apart in order to permit access to the one to be removed, which at such time must first be located inoperative relation with the upper assembler throat and the upper magazine entrance. Furthermore, provision is made for lifting a magazine to be removed from its base frame so that it may clear the associated assembler throat when drawn forwardly by the operator for final support in a vertical position at the front of the machine. That is to' say, each of the.several base frames is equipped with its own magazine lifting means, and a common device permanently mounted in the machine is employed to operate the lifting means when a selected magazine is brought into the removing position.

The magazine entrances are formed as usual with partitions which divide them into channels and, at their lower ends, the partitions are provided with elongated guiding flanges and light leaf springs which conjointly serve to straighten up and guide the matrices into the magazine channels. The flanges of each partition are spaced apart so as to permit the bodies of the descending matrices to pass between them, and their free edges are located adjacent the opposing partition so as to guide the matrices by their'projecting ears as they enter the maga zine. With this construction, matrices of the display fonts, which have an exceptionally wide range in thickness as between corresponding characters, may be handled in course of distribution with facility and with a maximum deby one of the display magazines.

to either the magazine and entrance, or both, particularly if the movement of the shift frame happens to be in a downward direction, in which case such movement will be directly opposed by the fixed pivotal axes of the magazine entrances through the offending matrix.

The present invention is intended to overcome the above and other difficulties-and contemplates means responsive to the operation of the hand lever, which controls the locking bars, for swinging the magazine entrances against the tension of their counterbalancing springs backward away from the receiving ends of the magazines and thus to insure free movement of the shift frame under the abnormal conditions stated.

Such means, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, include link and lever connections between the magazine entrances and the hand lever, which are so arranged that when the locking bars are retracted to release the magazine shift frame, the entrances will be swung out of their operative position and then, after the shift frame has been raised or lowered to the extent required, the entrances will be restored to their original position by the counterbalancing springs and the locking bars allowed to re-engage the aligning lugs of the shift frame.

At their upper ends, the several magazines as usual rest directly upon the corresponding portions of their respective base frames, and when a magazine is lifted at its lower end from said frame preparatory to removal, the upper edge of its top plate will be displaced rearwardly into contact with the lower end of the registering magazine entrance, and while the relative movement between the magazine and entrance in such instances is comparatively slight, the entrance nevertheless will be cammed backwardly an appreciable distance against the tension of its retaining spring. The rubbing action which thus takes place between the parts eventually causes the lower edges of the thin partition plates of the magazine entrance to.becme worn and burred in a manner to seriously interfere with the distribution of the matrices in their passage from the entrance into the magazine.

This difliculty is also overcome, according to the present invention, by means of separate link and lever connections between the magazine entrances and the device (before mentioned) for selectively operating the individual magazine lifting means, the arrangement being such that as a magazine is lifted and lowered from and to its position of rest upon its base frame the magazine entrances will be swung backwardly and forwardly out of and into their operative position, respectively.

Usually the upper magazine of each pair is devoted to the matrices of the seventy-two character fonts and, consequently, when it is desired to remove the lower magazine of either pair it is necessary, as before stated, that it be brought into the upper position or that normally occupied While occupying this position, however, at least some of its contained matrices will be subject to release by inadvertent operation of the finger keys of the keyboard and, as a result, they may become lodged against the entrance partitions so as to cause considerable trouble and loss of time before the situation can be rectified. Hence, as a further feature of the invention, it is proposed under the above conditions to hold the matrix feeler associated with the assembling mechanism i its is concerned, to other machines of the shiftablemultiple magazine variety having but a single distributor and assembler throat. In short it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment ex cept insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a linotype machine equipped with the present .im-

.provements;

Fig. 2 is a detail showing in active position the dog which restrains the entrances against re bound;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the actuating devices for the magazine entrances and the upper matrix feeler;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts in a different position; I

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the assembler throats and control mechanism for the magazine locking devices and the magazine entrances;

Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; i

Fig. 7 is a side elevation taken from the other side of the machine, showing the operative connections between the magazine entrances and the magazine lifting devices;

Fig. 8 is a similar view on an enlarged scale showing certain parts of Fig. 7 in a different position;

Fig. 9 is a. side elevation of the magazine shift frame showing the magazine separating and spreading devices; and

Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the matrix guiding springs and flanges of the magazine entrances.

In the embodiment illustrated, the machine is equipped with four superposed matrix magazines A A A A mounted on separate base frames A conjointly constituting a shift frame which may be raised and lowered by operation of a crank handle A to bring either the upper pair of magazines A and A or the lower pair of magazines A and A into the operative position. The second and fourth magazines A A are of regular or standard form and provided with ninetyone matrix channels spaced apart in the usual way to accommodate the o dinary ninety character fonts; whereas the rst and third magazines A A are provided w1th seventy-two matrix channels spaced apart in a different manner to accommodate the seventy-two character fonts.

The magazines of the selected pair are located in operative relation with the assembling and the distributing mechanisms by means of springactuated gauge or locking bars B which are arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the magazine shift frame and connected by rigid angular members B As shown best in Fig. 5, the gauge'bars B are-supported at their upper and lower ends between finished surfaces 0 presented by fixed from opposite sides of thelowermost base frame A. In providing for the engagement of the gaugej" bars B with the aligning lugs A", the former-are arranged to slide forwardly and backwardly so as in one position to stand clear ,of the lugs during the shifting of the magazines and in the other position to actively engage them. Through such engagement, the uppermost and lowermost notches b and b are intended, respectively, to

locate the lowermost and the uppermost pair of magazines in operative position; the intervening notch b, for reasons later to appear, is intended to locate the middle pair of magazines A and A in operative position.

The movement of the gauge bars B is effected by a hand lever C through a pair of arms D rising from a rock shaft D and engaging behind studs b projecting inwardly from the gauge bar connecting members B The hand lever C is pivotally mounted on one of the front side brackets O and is connected to the rock shaft D by means of a vertical link D and an angular arm D extending forwardly from said shaft. With this arrangement, when it is desired to shift the magazines from one position to another, the hand lever C is pressed downwardly to rotate the rock shaft D in'the appropriate direction to withdraw the locking bars B against the tension of their actuating spring B out of the vertical path of the aligning lugs A" so as to release the magazines and then, after the magazine shift frame has been raised or lowered the required extent, pressure on the hand lever is relaxed to permit the springs B" to rotate the rock shaft in the opposite direction and restore the locking bars to their original or active position in engagement with said lugs.

As' before stated, the magazine releasing movement of the locking bars B cannot take place while matrices are in course of distribution or when a matrix protrudes from the lower end of either of the magazines in use. Such control of these bars is exercised by two matrix feelers E and E' the feeler E being provided with two blades e e one for each of the pair of magazines in the operative position, and movable across the lower ends thereof; and the feeler it being likewise provided with two blades e a, one for each of the distributors, and movable across the path of the matrices as they travei therethrough. The lower feeler E is slida'bly supported in the machine framework and is actuated from the rock shaft D through a pair of arms D projecting forwardly from said shaft. The two blades of the upper feeler E (Fig. 1) are suspended from individual pivots e located on the respective distributor beams but are connected together by a link E for simultaneous operation by means later to be described.

The three upper magazine base frames A (see Figs. '7 and 9) are pivotally connected at their upper ends to a pair of plates A rising from the lowermost base frame, so that they may be spread apart to permit the removal and replacement of any selected magazine. The spreading operation is accomplished in the usual way by means including a rock shaft F (Figs. '7- and 9) journailed in the lowermost base frame A toggles F which are arranged on opposite sides of the magazines and connect the shaft F with the uppermost base frame, intermediate'links or hooks I, and an operating handle F for rotating the shaft.

Preparatory to the removal of a magazine, it is customary to first separate it from its base frame and, for this reason, each of the several base frames A, as best shown in Fig. 9, is

equipped with a long fore-and-aft bar or plate G.

and a lifting member G arranged directly beneath the plate and secured to a horizontal rock shaft G journalled in the base frame. The plate G at its lower end is formed with a lip g engaging the lowermost crossrib of the magazine, and at itsupper end it is hingedly mounted in the base frame. Hence. by a partial turn of the rock shaft G in onedirection, the plate G may be swung upwardly by the member G to lift the magazine from its base frame. and by a corresponding turn of the shaft in the opposite direction, the plate may be lowered to restore the magazine to its original position of'rest upon the base frame.

Rotation of the individual-rock shafts G is accomplished in the usual way by a device common to all, and which is mounted at the left of the magazine shift frame in the other fixed side bracket 0 Briefly, this device (see Fig. 7) includes a stub shaft H journalled in the bracket 0 and arranged for co-axial alignment and a clutchlike engagement with one or another of the rock shafts G as the corresponding magazine, by movement of the shift frame, is brought into the removing position. The required rocking movement is imparted to the shaft H, and thence to the rock shafts G, by an arm H pivoted on a stud h and connected to the stub shaft H through a link H and a short crank arm H arranged adjacent the outer face of the bracket located on the opposite side of the machine, is intended primarily 'to give support to a magazine as it is drawn forwardly from its base frame during the removal operation, but it is also adapted to function in the manner stated as it is swung from its normal or inactive position shown in Fig. 7 to its active position shown-in Fig. 9.

The foregoing magazine spreading and separating mechanisms are better shown and more fully described in the Mead Patent No. 2,157,795, to which reference may be made if desired.

Since, as previously stated, the present machine contemplates mixing matrices from the two operative magazines, the assembling front J (Fig. 5)

, A and the lower throat J having its guide plates 7' differently spaced apart to cooperate through a series of short intermediate guide plates 7' with the matrix columns of the two regular magazines A and A The upper throat J is pivotally mounted on a fixed cross rod J so that it may be swung forwardly when desired to give access to the magazines and escapement mechanism; and the lower throat J, which is similarly mounted on a cross rod J, is adapted when composing the display fonts to be swung forwardly to a position in registry with the upper throat J 1 so as to complete the passageway to the assembler front.

The magazines are each provided as usual with a, series of matrix releasing escapements a, a which are adapted to be actuated by a series of escapement actuating rods J carried by the throat J these rods being so arranged that when the throat J occupies the position indicated in Fig. 5, operative connections will be established between the keyboard mechanism and the escapements of the lower magazineof the operative pair, and when said throat: is swung v forwardly into registry with the throat J similar connections will be established through these rods and other escapement actuating devices (not shown) between the keyboard mechanism and the escapements of the upper magazine of the operative air. For further details of the construction and operation of the throats and associated parts, reference may be had to the patent to F. C. Frolander, No. 2,155,588.

The distributing mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1, includes two distributors K and K for handling the matrices of the regular and display fonts, respectively, and two appropriately channeled magazine entrances K and K for conducting the matrices from the respective distributors to the corresponding magazines in operative position. The magazine entrances are secured to individual supporting frames K and K mounted on separate hinge pins 70 and k: which project laterally from side brackets of the main frame and permit the entrances to be swung backwardly when desired for access to the upper ends of the magazines and the distributors. To facilitate this operation, the entrances are provided respectively with counterbalancing springs K K", which also serve to hold the entrances in their operative positions, where they are located by means of adjustable banking screws k and k which engage the rear edges of the side brackets 0 Each entrance comprises curved side plates K and a series of intervening partitions K, which latter, as shown in Fig. 10, are provided at their lower ends with relatively long bentover flanges k for guiding the matrices by their projecting ears. In advance of the guiding flanges, the partitions K are provided with flexible leaf springs 70 which are adapted to guide extremely thin matrices by their side faces but which are readily displaceable by the thicker matrices so as to allow their body portions to pass between the said flanges (see, for further details, the patent to J. H. Hilpman No. 2,079,209).

As thus far described, the parts and their mode of operation are well known to the art and, in addition to the patents above referred to, may be found in some of the more recent Linotype models on the market. Coming now to the present improvements:

To avoid the dangers hereinbefore mentioned and which arise from a matrix lodged across the line of communication between a magazine entrance and a magazine at the time the magazine shift frame is to be raised or lowered, it is proposed to swing both entrances K and K3 backwardly out of their operative positions by means responsive to the operation of the hand lever C which, as will be remembered, controls the operation of the magazine locking bars B. To this end (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) the hand lever C is connected through a long'fore-and-aft link L, by means of a pin 1, to the shorter arm of a vertically disposed rocking lever L which, as herein shown, i pivotally mounted on the hinge pin k: for the lower magazine entrance K. The longer arm of the lever L is formed on its rear edge and near its upper end witha finished surface I and is provided with a set screw F located about midway between its upper end and its ivotal axis. The lever surface I is arranged to engage a stud k which projects laterally from the supporting frame K of the upper magazine entrance, and the set screw F is arranged to engage an outwardly projecting portion k of the supporting frame K of the lower magazine entrance, whereby both entrances will be swung from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4 when the hand lever C is pressed downwardly to withdraw the locking bars B for the release of the magazine shift frame. Since the backward movement .of the entrances at such times must be s'uflicient to insure the element of safety required before the magazines are released, a pin and slot connection d is arranged between the vertical link D and the angular arm D so as, first, to permit the entrances by operation of the hand lever to start their backward movement prior to the rotation of the rock shaft D and, then, to complete their backward movement as the locking bars become disengaged from the aligning lugs A of the magazine shift frame. After the magazines have been raised or lowered the required extent and pressure on the hand lever is relieved to permit relocking of the magazines, the magazine entrances K and K will be restored to their original positions under the influence of their respective pull springs K" and K During these operations, interference between the entrances is avoided by having the lower entrance K start its backward movement ahead of the upper entrance K, a much greater space being provided (as will be observed from Fig. 3) between the stud k on the supporting frame K and the upper arm of lever L than that between the set screw 1 and the projecting portion is of the supporting frame K.

To arrest the entrances in their backward movement at the upper distance from the upper ends of the magazines, when they are thus actuated from the front of the machine, a stop member M, pivotally mounted on a pin m at the upper end of an auxiliary bracket 0*, is arranged in the path of a depending portion k of the lower entrance supporting frame K. The stop member M is movable to and from active position and controlled in its movements by operation of the entrance rocking lever L being formed with a projecting ear M which engages the link connecting pin 1 at the lower end of said lever and provided with a pull spring M adapted to hold the ear resiliently engaged with the pin l. According to this arrangement, as the entrances K and K are swung backwardly by the lever L from their operative position shown in Fig. 3, the stop member M will be turned upwardly to its active position in time to arrest the entrances in the position shown in Fig. 4; and conversely, as the entrances are returned under the influence of their counterbalancing springs K and K the stop member will be restored to its inactive position by the pin 1 against the tension of the pull spring M.

As the lower and heavier magazine entrance K completes its return movemen under the iniiuence of its counterbalancing spring K and the banking screw k engages the fixed bracket 0 thereis a tendency for it to rebound out of operative position, particularly when it is actuated from the front of the machine by the hand lever C. To remedy this dimculty, the supporting frame K, as will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with two studs N and m which project outwardly from the upper end thereof and are arranged to cooperate with a gravity it is sustained in a normal or inactive position by the lower stud N which engages the shorter arm 11. of the'dog, the longer arm n thereof at this time being disposed out of the path of the upper stud N to permit the entrance to be swung backwardly when desired for access to the mags. zines. In such instances, the dog N is adapted to receive support from a, pin 1:." projecting inwardly from the fixed bracket and arranged directly below a set screw 11 carried :by the longer arm n of the dog. In this way, the shorter arm of the dog N is maintained in the path of the lower stud N so that, when the entrance is swung forwardly, the dog will be flipped upwardly by the stud N the instant the entrance is stopped in its operative position. The longer arm of the dog will thus be located, as indicated in Fig. 2, momentarily behind the upper stud N in time to prevent a rebound of the entrance, and thereafter drop by gravity out of the path of the stud as the dog assumes its, normal position against the lower stud N In this connection, it may be mentioned that when the magazine entrances are lowered from the rear of the machine for access to the magazines, they are permitted to move a considerably greater distance than that determined by the stop member M or until the depending portion W of the entrance supporting frame K banks upon a spring cushion plate 0 (Fig. 4) fastened to one of the side brackets 0, the stop member M at such times being adapted to yield, and the weight of the entrances finally overcoming the strength of the springs K", K so that they may rest in their lowered position in the manner required upon the cushion plate 0.

It is further proposed to swing the magazine entrances out of their operative position preparatory to the removal of a magazine for interchange, in order to avoid burring or otherwise damaging the lower edges of the entrance partitions K in the manner previously mentioned. For this purpose (see Figs. '7 and 8), an operative connection is established between the magazine entrances and the stub shaft H of the magazine lifting device, this connection comprising a second rocking lever P pivotally mounted on one of the hinge pins k for the upper magazine entrance K and a long curved fore-and-aft link P connecting the longer arm P of the lever P with the crank arm H of the shaft H. The shorter arm of the lever P is provided with a set screw p which is adapted to engage the front edge of the supporting frame K for the entrance K at a point above its pivotal axis and push it backwardly when the lever P is actuated. On its lower edge, the supporting frame K is formed with a track surface -k arranged to engage an anti-friction roller q mounted in a block Q carried by the lower entrance supporting frame K whereby the backward movement of the upper magazine entrance K will be imparted to the lower magazine entrance K. The block Q is pivotally mounted on the frame K and, in addition to the roller q, it is provided with an adjusting screw q which banks upon an upper surface of said frame and is intended to locate the roller q at a proper distance from the track surface It to keep the entrances apart as they are rocked about their individual axes k and With the mechanism just described, it should now be clear that, when the magazine supporting arm H is swung forwardly to lift a magazine from its supporting base frame 'A (shown in Figs. '7 and 9), the stub shaft H will be turned by means of the connecting link 1-! and crank arm H in the appropriate direction to pull the link P forwardly and, through the lever P, swing the magazine entrances against the tension of their counterbalancing springs from the position shown in Fig. '7 to that shown in Fig. 8. During this operation, the upper magazine entrance K will start its backward movement just prior to the engagement of the lifting element G with the elongated supporting plate G (Fig. 9) in order ,0 prevent contact, that might otherwise take place, between the upper end of the magazine being lifted and the lower end of the said entrance. After the magazine has been removed and another substituted therefor, and as the arm H is swung backwardly to its original full line position shown in Fig. 7, the new magazine will be lowered upon the base frame A by means of the lifting element G and the magazine entrances will be returned to their original position under the influence of their counterbalancing springs K" and K The pin and slot connection between the arm H and link 1-]? is merely intended to permit a certain amount of lost motion in the operation of the arm so that it may be permitted to reach the inconspicuous position shown in Fig. 7 when not in use.

The matrix feeler iii associated with the distributing mechanism (see Figs. 1, 3 and 4) is actuated by means of a lever R which is hingedly mounted on the pivot pin m at the upper end of the bracket 0 and yieldingly connected to the feeler through a vertical 'rod R and a pull spring Near its freeend, the lever R is provided with a pin r positioned in a slot 1- at the lower end of the rod R and, about midway its length, it

'is provided with an anti-friction roller R which normally seats in a notch 1 formed in the lower to edge of the long fore-and-aft link L. The spring R- is connected to a collar 1" fixed to the rod R and holds the pin 1' resiliently against the upper end of the slot r so that the lever R may swing downwardly against the tension of the spring whenever resistance is ofiered to either blade of the feeler E Between the collar 1' and thelower end of the rod R the latter is .provided with a larger collar R presenting a shoulder 1 which 'is located in the path of a lug b projecting later-' ally from the upper end of the locking bar connecting member B As a result of the arrangement just described, operation of the feeler E? is brought under the control of the hand lever C through the link L and the lever R; that is to say, when the link L is pulled forwardly by the hand lever C, against the resistance of the magazine entrance counterbalancing springs K and K the roller R will be cammed out of the notch It in the link L and thus swing the lever R downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. If the distributors K and K are clear of matrices, the feeler E will be actuated though the connections just described and the shoulder r of the collar R will be moved out of the path of the lug b so as to permit the forward movement of magazine locking bars to their inactive position. On the other hand, if matrices passing through the distributors interfere with the operation of the feeler E", the spring R is adapted to yield without damaging the matrices, and the lug b of collar R -will remain in the position shown in Fig. 3 so as thereby positively to prevent retraction of the magazine iocking bars as well as any further forward movement of the link L. When the hand lever C is released, all parts affected will be restored to their original positions by means of the difierent springs and distribution of the matrices will be completed in the usual way.

in itsactive position across the delivery ends of In this way, accidental the magazines A" and A release of matrices from either of these magazines during a removal operation is prevented and the attendant difiiculties avoided. To bring out the importance of this precautionary measure, it may be mentioned that, in machines of the kind under discussion, it is not intended to select the middle pair of magazines for conjoint use because, if that were done, a seventy-two character font magazine, as well as a ninety character font magazine, would be in register with the wrong assembler throat and" with the wrong, magazine entrance and distributor.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 5, it will also be noted that the magazine locking bars 3 have been permitted to move rearwardiy far enough to partially engage the aligning lugs A of the shift frame so as to hold the magazines against vertical movement during the removal and replacement of themagazine A the required accuracy in the extent of such engagement being obtained by means of an adjustable banking screw d arranged between the arm D and the arresting lug A Otherwise, i. e., if the bars B in such instances were not allowed to function in their locking capacity, the magazines at such times would be left free to either rise under the influence of their powerful counterbalancing springs (not shown) or to fall under their own weight and thus interfere with the magazine removing operation.

The distributing mechanism includes the well known devices (not shown) which are adapted to stop its operation and to restart it automatically whenever the magazine entrances are moved back and forth from and to their operative position. Therefore, in order to prevent the distribution of matrices that might still be undistributed after the magazines have been shifted ,to the (what is purely a magazine removal) position shown in Fig. 5, means are provided for arresting at this time the long link L in its rearward movement and thus, through the lever L to restrain the magazine entrances K and K from reaching their operative (distributor starting) position. Such means, as shown in Fig. 6, comprises merely an angular ear piece L projecting inwardly from the link L and arranged to engage a stud b" protruding from the outer face of the gauge bar connecting member B The various parts and their mode of operation have, it is believed, been sumciently described and any further description would be superfluous.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines, a shift frame movable to bring any selected magazine into operative position, and a magazine entrance for conducting matrices from the distributing mechanism to the selected magazine, the combination of locking means for the magazine shift frame, said locking means being normally active to prevent movement of the magazine shift frame, and automatic means for moving the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the selected magazine in the act of unlocking the magazine shift frame for movement.

2. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines, a shift frame movable to bring any selected magazine into operative position, and a magazine entrance for conducting matrices from the distributing mechanism to the selected magazine, the combinationof locking means for the magazine shift frame, said locking means normally occupying an operative position, and means responsive to the movement of the locking means to inoperative position for moving the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the selected magazine.

3. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines, a shift frame movable to bring any selected magazine into operative position, and a magazine-entrance for conducting matrices from the distributing mechanism to the selected magazine, the combination of locking means for the magazine shift frame, said locking means being normally active to prevent movement of the magazine shift frame, a hand controlled lever located at the front of the machine, actuating connections between said lever and the locking means, and separate actuating connections between said hand lever and the magazine entrance; whereby the operation of the hand lever to release the magazine shift frame for movement will concurrently effect the movement of the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the selected magazine.

4. A combination according to claim 3, wherein the actuating connections between the hand lever and the locking means include a lost motion device, whereby the movement of the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the selected magazine will take place in advance of the release of the magazine shift frame for movement. v

5. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the machine is equipped with two magazine entrances to cooperate with different pairs of magazines brought into operative position by the movement of the shift frame, and wherein both of said entrances are moved out of operative relation to the selected pair of magazines concurrently with the unlocking of the magazine shift frame.

6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the locking means for the magazine shift frame, as well as the magazine entrance, are actuated in one direction by springs which tend constantly to hold them in and return them to their normal operative position.

7. A combination according to claim 1, including as a further element a movable automatically actuated stop to limit the movement of the magazine entrance from operative position.

8. A combination according to claim 1, including as a further element an automatic latch operative momentarily to hold the magazine entrance against rebound upon its return to operative position.

9. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the magazine entrance from operative position arrests the operation of the distributing mechanism.

10. A combination according to claim 1, in-

eluding as a further element a matrix feeler movable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution and wherein such movement of the feeler is effected concurrently with the unlocking of the magazine shift frame and the movement of the magazine entrance from operative position.

11. A combination according to claim 1, including as a further element a matrix feeler movable across the lower end of the selected magazine in operative position, and wherein such movement of the feeler is eflected concurrently with the unlocking of the magazine shift frame and the movement of the magazine entrance from operative position.

12. A combination according to claim 1, including as further elements two matrix feelers, one movable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, and the other across the lower end of the selected magazine in operative position, and wherein such movement of the matrix feelers is effected concurrently with the unlocking of the magazine shift frame and the movement of the magazine entrance from operative position.

13. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a matrix magazine and a hinged magazine entrance capable of being swimg into and out of operative relation with the magazine, the combination of a fixed stop for determining the operative position of the magazine entrance, spring means for swinging the magazine entrance into and sustaining it in operative position, and an automatic latch to prevent rebound of the entrance as it is swung into engagement with said stop.

14. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a matrix magazine and a hinged magazine entrance capable of being swung into and out of operative relation with the magazine, the combination of a fixed stop for sustaining the entrance in its operative position, a normally inactive latch movable from inactive to active position to hold the entrance against said stop, and automatic means for rendering the latch active momentarily only as the entrance is swung into engagement with said stop, the latch thereafter being automatically restored to its inactive position.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein such actuation of the stop is effected by a projection on the magazine entrance as the latter approaches its operative position.

16. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a matrix magazine and a hinged magazine entrance capable of being swung into and out of operative relation with the magazine, the combination of means for effecting such movement of the magazine entrance, and an automatic stop normally yieldable but adapted to be rendered unyieldable to limit the movement of the entrance from operative position in response to the actuation of said means.

17. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a matrix magazine and a hinged magazine entrance capable of being swung into and out of operative relation with the magazine, the combination of means for effecting such movement of the magazine entrance, and an automatic stop normally occupying an inactive position and movable to active position to limit the movement of the magazine entrance when the latter is moved from operative position by the actuation of said means.

18. A combination according to claim 16,

wherein the automatic stop is yieidable to permit the magazine entrance to be moved by hand beyond its limited position when desired.

19. In a typographical composing and distributing machine, the combination of a shift frame equipped with four magazines and adjustable to bring any selected pair of adjacent magazines into operative position, and automatic safety means acting when the intermediate pair of magazines is brought into operative position to prevent the composition of matrices therefrom.

20. In a typographical composing and distributing machine, the combination of a shift frame equipped with four magazines and adjustable to bring any selected pair of adjacent magazines into operative position, and automatic safety means acting when the intermediate pair of magazines is brought into operative position to prevent the distribution of matrices into said magazines.

21. In a typographical composing and distributing machine, the combination of a shift frame equipped with'four magazines and adjustable to bring any selected pair of adjacent magazines into operative position, and automatic safety means acting when the intermediate pair of magazines is brought into operative position to prevent the composition of matrices from and the distribution of matrices into said magazines.

22. A combination according to claim 19, wherein the machine is equipped with a pair of matrix feeler blades arranged to be moved across the lower ends of the two magazines in operative position, and with means for effecting the active and return strokes of said feeler blades before and after the adjustment of the shift frame, respectively, characterized in that the automatic safety means prevent the composition of matrices from the intermediate pair of magazines by preventing the return stroke of the matrix feeler blades.

23. A combination according to claim 20, wherein the machine is equipped with a pair of magazine entrances to cooperate with the two magazines in operative position, and with means for moving said entrances from and to operative position before and after the adjustment of the shift frame, respectively, characterized in that.

the automatic means prevent the distribution of matrices into the intermediate pair of magazines by preventing the return movement of the two magazine entrances to operative position.

24. A combination according to claim 19, wherein the machine is equipped with a pair of matrix feeler blades arranged to be moved across the lower ends of the two magazines in operative position, and with means for locking the mag- I azine shift frame in its different adjusted positions, said locking means effecting the active and return strokes of said feeler blades as the shift frame is unlocked and locked before and after adjustment, respectively, characterized in that the automatic safety means prevent the composition of matrices from the intermediate pair of magazines by preventing the return stroke of the feeler blades while permitting the locking of the shift frame in its newly adjusted position.

25. A combination according to claim 20, wherein the machine is equipped with a pair of magazine entrances to cooperate with the two magazines in operative position, and with means for locking the magazine shift frame in its different adjusted positions, said locking means effecting the movement of the two magazine entrances from and to operative position as the shift frame is unlocked and locked before and after adjustment, respectively, characterized in that the automatic safety means prevent the distribution of matrices into the intermediate pair of magazines by preventing the return movement of the magazine entrances to operative position while permitting the locking of the shift frame in its newly adjusted position.

26. A combination according to claim 19, characterized in that the automatic safety means include a control element mounted on the magazine shift frame and brought into operation by the adjustment of said frame to its intermediate position.

27. In a typographical composing and distributing machine equipped with a matrix magazine, a base frame whereon the magazine is removably mounted, and a magazine entrance movable into and out pf operative relation to the magazine, the combination of means for lifting the magazine from its base frame preparatory to removal, and means responsive to the operation of said lifting means for moving the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the magazine,

28. In a typographical composing and distributing machine equipped with a matrix magazine, and a base frame whereon the magazine is removably mounted, the combination of means for lifting the magazine from its base frame preparatory to removal, and means responsive to the operation of said lifting means for arresting the operation of the distributing mechanism.

29. A combination according to claim 27, in-

cluding a spring for restoring the magazine entrance into operative relation to the magazine as the latter is lowered into place upon the base frame.

30. In a typographical composing and distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines and a shift frame therefor com.- prising a corresponding plurality of base frames on which the individual magazines are removably mounted, each base frame being provided with a device for lifting its magazine therefrom preparatory to removal, the combination of operating means common to the lifting devices for all the base frames and coupled automatically to the lifting device of the magazine brought into operative position by the adjustment of the shift frame, a magazine entrance cooperating with the magazine in operative position, and means responsive to the operation of said common operating means for moving the magazine entrance out of operative relation with said magazine when the latter is lifted from its base frame preparatory to removal.

31. A combination according to claim 30, wherein the common operating means comprise a stub shaft mounted in the machine frame, and wherein the magazine entrance moving means are connected to and operated by said shaft.

32. A combination according to claim 30, wherein the shift frame is adjustable to bring different selected pairs of magazines into operative position, and wherein there are two magazine entrances to cooperate with the operative pair of magazines, characterized in that both of said magazine entrances are moved out of operative relation to their respective magazines when one of them is lifted from its base frame preparatory to removal.

33. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the machine is equipped with two independently mounted magazineentrances to cooperate tive pair of'magazines concurrently with the unlocking of the magazine shift frame, the means for moving said entrances out of operative relation with the operative pair of magazines act-' ing first upon one entrance and then upon the other to avoid interference between the two en-.

trances during their conjoint movement.

34. In a typograhical distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines, 8, shift frame movable to bring any selected magazine into operative position, a magazine entrance for conducting matrices from the distributing mechanism to the selected maga ne, and a matrix feeler movable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, the combination of locking means for the magazine shift frame, automatic means operable in the act of unlocking the magazine shift frame for movement, concurrently to move the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the selected magazine and for moving the matrix feeler across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, and an automatic lock to revent the unlocking of the magazines whenever the matrix feeler is obstructed in its movementby contact with a matrix.

35. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines, a shift frame movable to bring ny selected magazine into operative position, a magazine entrance for conducting matrices from the distributing mechanism to the selected magazine, and a matrix feeler movable across the lower end of the selected magazine in operative position, the combination of locking means for the magazine shift frame, automatic means operable in the act of unlocking the magazine shift frame for movement, concurrently to move the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the magazine in operative position and to move the matrix feeler across the lower end of said magazine, and an automatic lock to prevent the unlocking of the magazines whenever the matrix feeler is obstructed in its movement by contact with a matrix.

36. In a, typographical distributing machine equipped with a plurality of matrix magazines, a shift frame movable to bring any selected magazine into operative position, a magazine entrance for conducting matrices from the distributing mechanism to the selected magazine, and a pair of 'matrix feelers, one movable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, and the other across the lower end of the selected magazine in operative position, the combination of locking means for the magazine shift frame, automatic means operable in the act of unlocking the magazine shift frame for movement, concurrently to move the magazine entrance out of operative relation to the magazine in operative position and to effect the operative movements of said matrix feelers, and an automatic lock to prevent the unlocking of the magazines whenever either of the matrix feelers is obstructed in their movement by contact with a matrix.

37. A combination according to claim 17, wherein the automatic stop is yieldable to permit the magazine entrance to be moved by hand beyond its limited position when desired.

38. A combination according to claim 20, characterized in that the automatic safety means include a control element mounted on the magazone shift frame and brought into operation by the adjustment of said frame to its intermediate position.

39. A combination according to; claim 21, characterized in that the automatic safety means include a control element mounted on the magazine shift frame and brought into operation by the adjustment of said frame to its intermediate position.

40. A combination according to claim 30,

wherein the shift frame is adjustable to bring difierent selected pairs of magazines into operative position, and wherein there are two magazine entrances to cooperate with the operative pair of magazines, characterized inthe provision of intermediate connections for effecting the movement of one magazine entrance out of operative relation to its magazine conjolntly with the movement of the other magazine entrance out of v operative relation with its magazine as the lat- 10 paratory to removal.

' RICHARD R. MEAD. 

